Married To A Stranger

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Shaina's Point of View

The morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a golden hue across the room. But no amount of sunlight could erase the darkness lingering from last night.

I turned over in bed, my body still tense from everything that had happened.

Cloud was already awake, sitting on the edge of the bed with his phone in hand. His back was straight, his expression unreadable as he listened to whoever was on the other line.

I couldn't hear the words, but the cold sharpness in his eyes told me enough.

Something had happened.

When he finally ended the call, I hesitated before speaking. "Is everything okay?"

Cloud turned his head slightly, meeting my gaze.

"They're trying to fight back," he said simply.

I swallowed hard. "What do you mean?"

He sighed, standing up. "Your father is already making calls, trying to gather allies before I can strike."

A pit formed in my stomach. "And? What are you going to do?"

Cloud tilted his head, his expression almost amused. "Win."

I sat up. "Cloud-"

Before I could protest, he was already walking towards me. He leaned down, one hand bracing on the mattress beside me, his face just inches from mine.

"Do you trust me?" he murmured.

I hesitated. I wanted to. But Cloud didn't fight fair. And I wasn't sure if I could handle what his version of winning looked like.

Still, I found myself nodding.

His lips curved into a small smile. "Good. Then let me handle this."

Sofia's Point of View

I stormed into my father's office, my heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.

"This is ridiculous!" I snapped.

My father barely looked up from his desk. "Not now, Sofia."

"Yes, now," I insisted, slamming my hands down on his desk. "Cloud is tearing us apart, and you're just sitting here like a fool."

His eyes darkened. "Watch your tone."

I crossed my arms, refusing to back down. "We should have never let Shaina marry him."

Lilian, who was seated on the couch, sighed dramatically. "What do you expect us to do, Sofia? Cloud has connections-more than we anticipated."

I clenched my fists. "Then we find better connections."

My father rubbed his temples. "You don't understand, Sofia. Cloud isn't just winning-he's crushing us. Every investor we turn to refuses to meet with us. Our partners are withdrawing."

I gritted my teeth. "Then we need leverage."

Lilian suddenly smirked. "And I think I know just the way to get it."

I raised a brow. "Oh?"

She leaned forward, her expression filled with dangerous amusement.

"If we can't fight Cloud head-on," she said smoothly, "we'll have to hit where it hurts the most."

My stomach twisted in anticipation.

"And where is that?"

Lilian's smirk widened.

"Shaina."

Shaina's Point of View

I spent most of the day avoiding my phone, my thoughts clouded with worry. Cloud said he would handle everything, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something worse was coming.

That fear was confirmed when I heard the butler's voice calling from the hallway.

"Madam, you have visitors."

Visitors?

I frowned and made my way downstairs.

But the moment I reached the living room, my breath caught.

Standing there, too comfortably, was Lilian and Sofia.

Sofia's smile was dripping with fake sweetness. "Missed us, dear sister?"

I stiffened. "What do you want?"

Lilian sighed dramatically. "Oh, Shaina. Is that any way to greet your family?"

I clenched my fists. "You are not my family."

Sofia pouted. "That's too bad. Because we came here to help you."

I scoffed. "Help me? With what?"

Lilian's smile didn't waver. "With your future."

I felt a chill. "Be clear, Lilian."

She exchanged a knowing look with Sofia before stepping closer.

"You see, dear, your marriage to Cloud? It's... problematic."

I frowned. "Problematic for who?"

Sofia tilted her head innocently. "For you, of course. Do you really think Cloud married you out of love?"

I felt something tighten in my chest. "I don't care about your games, Sofia. Just get to the point."

Lilian sighed. "Fine. The truth is, dear, Cloud's been using you this whole time. And now that he's won, he'll throw you away just like he does with anything he doesn't need."

I inhaled sharply, but before I could respond, Sofia leaned in, lowering her voice.

"But don't worry, sister," she whispered. "I'll be here to take your place when he does."

I froze.

Sofia's smirk widened. "Oh? You didn't know? Cloud and I... we have history."

My breath hitched. "You're lying."

"Am I?" She batted her lashes. "You should ask him yourself. Ask him why he really married you."

I wanted to scream. To throw them both out.

But doubt had already started creeping in.

Sofia saw it. And that was exactly what she wanted.

Lilian clapped her hands together. "Well, we'll leave you with that thought, dear. I do hope you make the right choice."

Then, just like that, they walked out-leaving me standing there, shaken and unsure.

Was it true?

Had Cloud really only used me?

Had I been blind this whole time?

I turned toward the staircase, my heart pounding.

There was only one person who could answer that.

And I needed to hear it from him.